PRAHAAR: India’s National Counter-Terrorism Policy and Strategy
Why in News?
Union Home Minister Amit Shah unveiled PRAHAAR, described as India’s first national counter-terrorism policy and strategy, on 23 February 2026. A conference on “PRAHAAR – CT Policy and Strategy” was held in New Delhi on 28 September 2026, where the strategy was discussed as a 10-year institutional framework for strengthening India’s counter-terrorism response.
What is PRAHAAR?
PRAHAAR stands for Policy for Response Against Hostile Activities and Radicalism. It is a multidimensional counter-terrorism framework based on seven pillars:
- Prevention
- Response
- Aggregating Internal Capacities
- Human Rights
- Attenuating Conditions for Terrorism
- Aligning International Efforts
- Recovery and Resilience
The framework adopts a whole-of-society approach to counter-terrorism. Along with security and law-enforcement measures, it includes social, psychological and community-based approaches aimed at preventing radicalisation.
The strategy also emphasises a zero-tolerance approach towards terrorism and seeks to ensure effective implementation down to the police station level.
Institutional and Operational Features
The 28 September conference discussed the need for an automated counter-terrorism response at every level and greater coordination among security and intelligence agencies.
The conference brought together senior officials, including the Union Home Secretary, Foreign Secretary, heads of Central Armed Police Forces, heads of Central Police Organisations, Directors General of Police of 15 states and Anti-Terrorist Squad chiefs from all states and Union Territories.
Extradition Portal
An Extradition Portal was launched on 28 September 2026 to improve coordination and accelerate efforts to bring fugitives back to India.
Between 2019 and 2026, 288 fugitive criminals were repatriated to India from 36 countries, according to the information provided for the initiative.
Related Security Developments
Improved inter-agency coordination also contributed to the dismantling of more than 40 modules of the Shahzad Bhatti network. The network was associated with cross-border smuggling of weapons, explosives and narcotics.
More than 100 FIRs and 350 arrests were recorded across 15 states in connection with the network. It was also declared a terrorist organisation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
PRAHAAR: Exam-Oriented Facts for Competitive Exams
- PRAHAAR: Policy for Response Against Hostile Activities and Radicalism.
- Unveiled: 23 February 2026.
- Conference: PRAHAAR – CT Policy and Strategy, New Delhi, 28 September 2026.
- Framework: Seven pillars.
- Approach: Whole-of-society counter-terrorism strategy.
- Extradition Portal: Launched on 28 September 2026.
- Fugitive Repatriation: 288 fugitives from 36 countries during 2019–2026.
- UAPA, 1967: India’s principal anti-terror legislation.
- Extradition: Legal process through which one country surrenders a person to another country for prosecution or punishment.
